City of Marengo resurrects parking restrictions on Lafayette

MARENGO — A public hearing set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 24 will begin the process to limit parking on the block of Lafayette Avenue south of Compass Memorial Hospital in Marengo.

The Marengo City Council set the hearing during its July 10 meeting. Councilmen Travis Schlabach and Bill Kreis, both opposed to the restrictions, voted against setting a public hearing.

Compass Memorial asked the city early this year to restrict parking on Lafayette because of increased traffic due to construction at the hospital. City administration, the city council safety committee and Marengo Police Chief Ben Gray recommended parking restrictions — if not a complete ban — on Lafayette, citing the potential for accidents due to the increased traffic and the inconsistency in the width of the street.

The city council has conducted long discussions on the subject during several council meetings, and residents who live on the street have debated the issue with council.

The council declined to issue a complete ban on parking in the block and seemed to put the issue to rest when it refused, in a 2-2 vote, to limit parking to one side of the street. Councilwoman Karen Wayson-Kisling was absent.

The parking issue was brought back before the council with Wayson-Kisling present, and her affirmative vote gave the council a 3-2 margin to move forward with the parking restrictions.

The resolution that will be considered by the council will amend the Code of Ordinances Chapter 69 to add that parking will not be allowed on Lafayette Avenue on the west side from Main Street to May Street or on the east side from May Street south for 160 feet.

The council must approve three readings of the resolution before it becomes law.